This will be Hinske's first coaching stint. He wrapped up a 12-year Major League career last season that included 2002 American League Rookie of the Year honors with the Blue Jays and three straight World Series appearances, bookended by championships with the Red Sox in 2007 and the Yankees in '09.

Hinske, 36, played 1,387 Major League games with the Blue Jays (2002-06), Red Sox (2006-07), Rays (2008), Pirates (2009), Yankees ('09), Braves (2010-12) and D-backs (2013). He finished his career with a .249 batting average.

He'll need some time to get to know Wrigley Field. Hinske has played in just 12 games at the Cubs' home park, and started two.